President John Dramani Mahama urged Russia to lower barriers to African exports and expand market access, seeking a more balanced trade relationship as he invited Russian companies to invest in Ghana’s agriculture, manufacturing and infrastructure sectors.
Speaking at the third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow, Mahama said Ghana’s position in West Africa and its role as host of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat offered Russian investors a platform to access regional markets.
He identified opportunities in cocoa, cashew, horticulture, mineral processing and manufacturing, while encouraging Russian businesses to form joint ventures with Ghanaian companies in agro-processing, fertilizer production, agricultural machinery, pharmaceuticals, energy, transport infrastructure and digital services.
“Joint ventures should build local expertise and create opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses alongside large investors,” Mahama said.
The appeal adds on Ghana’s push to attract investment that strengthens domestic production while expanding exports, with market access and trade settlement systems emerging as key issues in its efforts to deepen commercial ties with Russia.
Mahama called on Moscow to improve market information for African exporters, establish predictable standards, strengthen logistics and build closer links between Russian and African businesses. Such measures, he said, would help create a more balanced partnership rather than one centred primarily on investment flows.
Payments and agricultural technology
The president also called for mechanisms to make legitimate trade settlements easier, including the use of local currencies and digital payment systems.
“Our central banks, commercial banks, and fintech companies have an important role to play in this regard,” he said.
Agriculture was another focus of the investment pitch. Mahama highlighted Russian capabilities in scientific research, fertilizer manufacturing and farm mechanization, saying technological cooperation could help improve Ghana’s agricultural productivity and food security.
He pointed to competitively priced farm inputs, soil mapping and precision agriculture as areas where collaboration could support more reliable harvests and sustainable industrial development.
The proposed cooperation spans both the production of agricultural commodities and the processing of raw materials into higher-value goods, including opportunities for Ghanaian firms to participate alongside larger investors.
Mahama’s call for greater access to Russian markets, however, places the emphasis on whether closer economic ties can generate export opportunities for African producers as well as investment opportunities for Russian companies.
